The US Justice Department has announced it will not pursue federal civil rights charges against former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison, who was previously acquitted in the high-profile Breonna Taylor case.
Hankison, one of the officers involved in the botched raid that led to Taylor's death in March 2020, faced state charges of wanton endangerment for firing shots that entered a neighbouring apartment. While a jury cleared him of those charges last year, federal authorities had been reviewing whether his actions violated Taylor's civil rights.
Case Background
The investigation stemmed from a narcotics raid on Taylor's apartment, where officers used a no-knock warrant. Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, was shot multiple times during the encounter. Her death sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
Justice Department's Decision
In a statement, the Justice Department said prosecutors "determined that insufficient evidence exists to support federal criminal charges" against Hankison. The decision effectively closes the federal inquiry into Taylor's death, though the department continues to investigate potential civil rights violations by the Louisville Metro Police Department as a whole.
Reactions to the Announcement
Taylor's family attorney expressed disappointment with the decision, stating it "sends a disturbing message" about accountability in police shootings. Meanwhile, Hankison's defence team welcomed the news, calling it a "just conclusion" to the federal probe.
The case remains one of the most scrutinised police shootings in recent US history, continuing to fuel debates about police reform and racial equity in law enforcement.
